NBA exhibition game in Shenzhen tips off at 11 p.m. PDT Wednesday on NBA TV

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Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors talks to the press during practice and media availability at Shenzhen Gymnasium as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China on October 4, 2017 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

SHENZHEN, China — The horde formed around Stephen Curry’s interview stand nearly 30 minutes before he would actually arrive. Cellphone cameras clicked nearly every instant Curry and Klay Thompson shot the ball. Numerous Warriors players were asked to give greetings to various Chinese television stations.

All of these snapshots formulated a complete picture that the Warriors have painted almost perfectly in recent years. They have established NBA dominance with two championships in the past three seasons. They have four All-Stars eager to diminish their individual statures in hopes to enhance the team’s. And they are hosting two exhibition games (11 p.m. PDT Wednesday and 4 a.m. PDT Sunday) against the Minnesota Timberwolves as China’s most popular team.

Yet, it seemed telling the Chinese media has shown similar enthusiasm regarding the Timberwolves. They mark one of many teams that reloaded this offseason for one simple purpose — to put a serious dent in the seemingly indestructible Warriors.

“We have the confidence we can beat any team in this league if we handle our business,” Curry said. “But we respect and honor the way teams have rebuilt themselves and how much power and talent these guys have. They’re a team you can’t sleep on.”

After going 31-51 last season, the Timberwolves have woken up the Warriors with some moves to complement a young roster headlined by Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Minnesota traded guards Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine and the No. 7 pick to Chicago for three-time All-Star Jimmy Butler and the No. 16 pick (Justin Patton). Minnesota traded point guard Ricky Rubio to Utah for a 2018 first-round pick from Oklahoma City. The Timberwolves also signed established veterans Jeff Teague, Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford.

“We got a lot of talent on this team right now. But all of this talent doesn’t mean anything if we don’t do what we’re supposed to do,” Butler said. “I think Tibs puts us in a great position to do that. Now we have to wake up every day and execute.”

The Warriors are a living testament to that philosophy, both for better and for worse. They won the NBA title in 2015 against Cleveland with superior 3-point shooting, ball movement and pace, only to squander it all with a 3-1 series lead in 2016. The Warriors then acquired Kevin Durant last season, which restored order and ignited league-wide jealousy.

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Durant then signed a two-year deal to stay with the Warriors for an annual salary of about $25 million, which marked about a $9.5 million pay cut from a max contract. Durant made that decision so the Warriors would have enough salary cap flexibility to retain Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston, while also adding bench depth in Nick Young and Omri Casspi. The Warriors also were able to keep Zaza Pachulia and JaVale McGee.

“We won the championship. So we don’t need new players. We like the same players,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “But we have lots of obstacles, the entire Western Conference. Our biggest challenge is everyone is gunning for us and getting better.”

But while Oklahoma City (Paul George, Carmelo Anthony), Houston (Chris Paul) and San Antonio (Rudy Gay) added pieces, the Warriors might be able to go farther by keeping their own.

When he becomes an unrestricted free agent in two years, Thompson sounded open toward taking a hometown discount with the Warriors.

“We all make a ton of money. But you want to look back on your career and leave a legacy, especially as a winner and impacting your community,” Thompson said. “I don’t want to be known as a basketball player. I want to be known as a champion and who did great things in the Bay Area.”

The Warriors already see Thompson as a champion. He already has won two championship rings. They have resisted entertaining endless trade proposals for him because of his sharpshooting, defense and willingness to cede the spotlight without complaint.

“That’s a reflection of the culture we’ve built here and obviously Klay’s character,” Curry said. “You obviously don’t know how that’s going to play out. There’s plenty of time before that situation comes up. But the fact that he’s thinking that way resembles what it means to play for this team and care about winning and wanting to be in a great situation.”

Can their opponents stockpile themselves into great situations? The Warriors are intrigued enough to pay attention. They do not sound insecure enough, though.

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